New Westminster Salmonbellies
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New Westminster Salmonbellies | |
Founded | 1888 |
Home arena | Queen's Park Arena |
Based in | New Westminster |
Colours | Red, White, Blue |
League | Western Lacrosse Association |
Head Coach | Bob Salt |
General Manager | Dan Richardson |
The New Westminster Salmonbellies are a Men's Senior 'A' lacrosse team located in New Westminster, BC. Their home arena is Queen's Park Arena. They compete as part of the Western Lacrosse Association and have won the Mann Cup 24 times, most recently in 1991. The 1968-1972 teams were collectively inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2004.
The New Westminster lacrosse club was founded on May 12, 1888 but didn't play their first home game in the Royal City until June 8, 1889, a 3-1 loss to Vancouver.
"All lacrosse players are requested to meet on the cricket grounds this evening for the purpose of forming a lacrosse club." - New Westminster Daily British Columbian, Friday, May 11, 1888
On Saturday evening a meeting of lacrosse players was held and a club formed. Mr. Glover was appointed chairman pro tem and Mr. Lewis permanent secretary and treasurer. A committee was formed to draft rules and by-laws, and perform other duties in connection with the organization of the club. Practises will be held every Wednesday and Friday evening for the present, and it is to be hoped that every lover of the game will join the club and assist in making it a success in every way. It is the intention to try and arrange a match with Vancouver on July 1st. - New Westminster Daily British Columbian, Monday, May 14, 1888
They won their first Mann Cup in 1915. Prior to 1932, they played as a field lacrosse team but in May 1932 box lacrosse was adopted for the senior league in British Columbia - and the Salmonbellies have been a box lacrosse team since then.
Paul Parnell, Wayne Goss, Eric Cowieson, Jack Bionda, and Cliff Sepka are all former members of the Salmonbellies and have had their numbers retired by the team.
[edit] Mann Cup Wins
- 1916-17
- 1920-25
- 1927
- 1937
- 1943
- 1958
- 1959
- 1962
- 1965
- 1970
- 1972
- 1974
- 1976
- 1981
- 1986
- 1989
- 1991
[edit] Mann Cup MVPs
Salmonbelly Winners of the Mann Cup Most Valuable Player's Mike Kelly Memorial Trophy (Major/Senior A):
- 1943 Bill Wilkes
- 1944 Ike Hildebrand
- 1958 Norm McKay
- 1959 Jack Bionda (New Westminster O'Keefes)
- 1962 Jack Bionda (New Westminster O'Keefes)
- 1965 Les Norman
- 1970 Paul Parnell
- 1972 Paul Parnell
- 1974 Ken Winzoski
- 1976 Dave Durante
- 1981 Wayne Goss
- 1986 Geordie Dean
- 1987 Eric Cowieson (jointly held with Jim Meredith of the Brooklyn Redmen
- 1989 Ben Hieltjes
- 1991 Geordie Dean